Overnight Open Thread (9-22-2014)

We Fought the Poverty and the Poverty Won

Despite the trillion$ and trillion$ spent over the last 47 years the poverty rate has remained essentially unchanged since 1967.

Of course this is primarily because the poverty rate itself is a BS measure which only counts income before any benefits and is adjusted periodically so that approximately 14% of Americans will always be below the poverty line. Note that the poor of 2014 are much better off than the poor of 1967 and even better off than many of the 2014 middle class in Europe.

Census counts a family as poor if its income falls below specified thresholds. But in counting family "income," Census ignores nearly the entire $943 billion welfare state.

For most Americans, the word "poverty" means significant material deprivation, an inability to provide a family with adequate nutritious food, reasonable shelter and clothing. But only a small portion of the more than 40 million people labelled as poor by Census fit that description.

The media frequently associate the idea of poverty with being homeless. But less than two percent of the poor are homeless. Only one in ten live in mobile homes. The typical house or apartment of the poor is in good repair and uncrowded; it is actually larger than the average dwelling of non-poor French, Germans or English.

How Many Countries Are in the UN?

The correct answer is 193 but the US State Department says there are 194. Which means that the State Department is either gobsmackingly incompetent at their job or deeply disingenuous. Please make all wagers before reading the article.

Does the National Women's Soccer League Have a Domestic Violence Problem?

The ISIS Style of Socialism

Ten Facts from the ?#?Islamic_State? that everyone should know.

1. We don't pay rent here. Houses are given for free.
2. We pay neither electric nor water bills.
3. We are given monthly grocery supplies. Spagetti, pasta, can foods, rice, eggs and etc.
4. Monthly allowance are given not only to husband and wife (wives) but also for each child.
5. Medical check up and medication are free - The Islamic State pays on behalf of you.
6. You can still survive even if you don't speak Arabic. You can find almost every race and nationality here.
7. For every newly married couples are given 700usd as a gift. (Only for Mujahid and I'm not sure if it's still available now).
***
9. No one is conducting business during prayer time. You can see people left their shops opened and pray either in the masjid or near by their shops.
10. The number of mix-marriages and mixed-race children are so high. It's beautiful to witness brotherhood with no racism.

From a muhajir sister,also spouse of a Mujahid brother at #Islamic_State
Diary Of A Muhajirah

And Bookworm points out that unlike other flavors of socialism Caliphate socialism is very up front with the fact that it's based on OPM (other people's money):

In the caliphate, as I said, things are different, very, very different. The consumers are one perpetual class, always enjoying luxury, while the producers are another perpetual class, always suffering servitude.  A case in point is the fact that, as you probably noticed, I left out Item No. 8 in the above list. That's the one that talked about paying for this socialist Islamic paradise:

8. You don't have to pay tax (If you're a Muslim).

Coerced payment from the non-Muslims is always at the point of a gun or the tip of a sword.

#ClimateMarch

Clash of the religions...and idols. Next march I hope the Mothra girls get their own float. Because they're cute and I like that song.

Netropolitan: Facebook for the Elite

The $9000 fee to join does help keep out the hoi polloi.

Should Everyone Be on Lithium?

Is lithium an essential mineral for a healthy brain?

OMG: The Awful 'Patriarchal Culture' of the UNC Party Scene

AKA ladies nights at the local bars.

'My Father Is A Bird' Is A Film About A Man With A Bird For A Dad Who Masturbates

Well you did say you were sick of all the Hollywood remakes and reboots...

17 Movies With Plot-Holes So Big, You Can Drive A Truck Through Them

Polygamist Women Ninjas!!!!

And with swordplay!

The Yahoo AoSHQ group - it's got electrolytes.

And my twitter thang.

Tonight's post brought to you by the 1970s political landscape in a correction:

Notice: Posted by permission of AceCorp LLC. Please e-mail overnight open thread tips to maetenloch at gmail. Otherwise send tips to Ace.

posted by Maetenloch at 10:10 PM

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